IDPs from Serêkaniyê, Afrin demand safe return

Displaced people from Afrin, Serêkaniyê, and Girê Spî living in Newroz Camp in the city of Dêrik, in the Jazira Canton, are facing major challenges related to the lack of basic services such as water, electricity, and others, in addition to the deep psychological and social effects caused by their forced displacement from their regions in 2018 and 2019 following Turkish attacks. Women and children, in particular, are among those most strongly demanding a return to their homes.

Oweid al-Ali, one of the displaced from Serêkaniyê, stressed the need to secure a safe return for the displaced under United Nations supervision, emphasizing the importance of humanitarian support for affected families, especially those whose homes were lost and whose property was looted. He said that war and displacement had left profound negative effects, particularly on women and children who continue to endure severe psychological and humanitarian hardship.

Al-Ali added that many families are facing difficult living conditions, having returned only to find their homes looted or destroyed, while lacking the financial means to rebuild. He called on humanitarian organizations to provide dignified assistance that would help ease the suffering of residents.

For her part, displaced resident Fatima Mohammed from Afrin expressed her deep longing to return to her city, stressing that life in the camps had become unbearable. She said living in the camp was like a prison, adding that they look forward to regaining their normal lives far from the bitterness of displacement they have endured for years.

Meanwhile, Tarfa Amer said their homes in Serêkaniyê had been destroyed, calling for safe routes to be opened to allow displaced people to return to their homes. She noted that their prolonged stay in the camps was worsening their suffering, asking at the end of her remarks why plans for return continue to be delayed.

ANHA